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jb61264

How to tell if you need a new skimmer...

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jb61264
, 01-29-2010 at 04:56 PM (1375 Views)
Something that it seems that everybody is always considering upgrading is their skimmer...but how can you really tell if you need to upgrade your skimmer? There are the obvious answers like if you skimmer is not producing any skimmate and you have a fully stocked 75 gallong mixed reef tank, you probably need to upgrade your skimmer, but what if you do get "stuff" and your tank is healthy and thriving?...how can you ever tell if you need to seriously upgrade your skimmer.

I'm almost always ashamed to admit I have (oh gosh, here it goes) a Red Sea Berlin skimmer (sigh...there I did it). Although it brings me a bit of comfort to know that the previous owner just threw it in with the 75 gallon tank that I bought from him for $75. I've modified it in a couple wasy suggested on some other forum posts by users who also admit to using this skimmer and to be honest, it produces skimmate to the point where I have to empty it out every 4-5 days...and then clean it out at least once a month because of a sludge that will build up in the neck leading up to the collection cup. I know I could do better with a new skimmer, but where is the real price point? I don't see myself ever spending over $250 for a skimmer on this tank...so, does it make sense to even consider upgrading?

Wondering what thought processes people go through to decide to upgrade their skimmer.

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Comments

  1. duster's Avatar
    Be sure to clean that sludge out of the neck when you empty the cup. A dirty neck will greatly inhibit your skimmers performance. if your getting excessive algae growth, or have other water quality issues then it may be time to upgrade. Some people need to upgrade, some just want the newest toy.
  2. Blennymower's Avatar
    I have a 75 also, and I'm using the new Octopus 160 skimmer. Let me tell you, the neck on that thing is wide! More than the older xtreme 200 series, and in 2-4 days I have to take it out and clean it because it can't get any dirtier.

    It's a tad bit over your price tag, but well worth it.
  3. NATUREBATSLAST's Avatar
    Don't underrate the benefits of used equipment, I think you'd be able to find a great upgrade for 50% less of new, or maybe even trading. ASM, Aqua C and Octopus are great models. For me, I like the Aqua C EV-120 only because it doesn't use a needlewheel pump, but, I have a ASM G3 as a backup.
    I would look at what's your fish stocking density for starters for sizing. IME, the skimmer primary benefit is water aeration. The secondary benefit (for me) is an export of phosphates, since I dose my kalk in my skimmer compartment. And although I pull out about a gallon a week (for only running my skimmer of 8 hrs a day), it's export is mostly phytoplankton with almost no dry weight. Borneman makes a great point of this.
    I think for most who have "normal" tanks, and who don't have big frag farming operation in their systems with tons of chemo warfare, the trend for overskimming is just overkill. Pound for pound (or pound for brown...Viva Zappa!) IME, chaeto and RDSB will remove more nutrient when compared to skimmer.
  4. jb61264's Avatar
    Do you have a reference to 'Borneman makes a great point of this'?..is this an artilce available online somewhere?

    i have spent some time reading a couple of good papers by Feldman and Maers

    http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/1/aafeature
    and
    http://www.advancedaquarist.com/pdf/...st-2009-01.pdf
  5. NATUREBATSLAST's Avatar
    I've seen him lecture on this point and found a forum where he mentions the idea of skimmers vs algae.
    http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic100283-9-1.aspx
  6. seapug's Avatar
    if your skimmer is producing skimmate and your tank is clean, livestock is healthy and water params are maintained, there is absolutely no reason why you should feel like you need to change or upgrade your skimmer.